Type-writing machine.



PATEN'TED FEB. 27 J. E. MOLLE. TYPE WRITING MACHINE. APPLIOATIQN FILED DEC. 28, 1904.

JoizzzE/llolle 9 Witnesses Invenkor I a Httomegs PATENTED FEB. 27, 1906.

,svo.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

gyes, Inventor response of the ty vide for preventin accidental-disconnection.

'-Bay, in the county of cousin, have invented of which the following is a 7 STATES. PATENT omen.

- Jenn E. Monte,

0F SIURGEON. BAAY, isconsin.

rYPE-wmTinG MA HINE;

' no. 13,57o;

to cushion the depression of the keysfland thereby prevent the'sndden 'jar upon-the'fingers of the operator, as is usual with o-rdinary. forms oftype writing machines when "the type strikes the platen.

A further object of-the invention is tosim plify the connection between the key-stems.

or plungers and the t e-bars and to permit of the readyapplicatlon and replacement of such connections without interfering with-' 1 any of-the other partsof the'machine.

' A still further object 'ofthe invention is to have the key-action mounted so as to-be put in andtaken out as awhole from the main- .frame, therebv -to facilitate the repairing of this portion ot-the machine.

Anotherobject-of the invention is to pro-'.

of the key-action tram the type-bars and at the same time to ermit of the'convenient disconnectionjof t ese parts whenever deed out in t derstood that changes in the form, proporwithin the sired.

A still further object of the invention is to i provide an improved construction'of. type- 4 arwhich operates to prevent pounding of the type against anothert pe-bar should severa'l keys ,besimultaneous y struck and a corresponding number of tf' pe-bars thrown up.

against the platen, there 1y to'prevent injury tothetyie.

With t ese 'and'other objects in 'view the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, as will be here: inafter more fully-described, shown in the acco npanyinfidrawings, and particularly pointe appended claims, it being untion, size, and minor details may be made scope of the claims without depart: ing from the spirit or sacrificing any oi" the ad'- vantag'es of the invention. Y

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed Deceinber 2s,

prompt and positive,

ect cushioning ofthe key-..

should thea'ction become ammed in any manner-and at the same time I atented,Feb. 27, 1.906. 1904. Serial-No,238,5' 75'..

I 111 the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 1s a longitudinal sectional view taken through .the lowerp'ort-ion .of the irame ol' the typewriting machine having the improvements Uri-plan View thereof. Fig. 3 is a detail .sec-

A I a a t a detail perspective .view of 'the yieldable rock-bar forming the connection between one of the keys and the corresponding type-bar.

. between the rock-bar-and the heel of the-typebar. one of-the type-bars. F'g. 7 is a detail cross-1 sectional view of the type-barsupport. Fig. 8,i s a detail view of one stem or plunger. 5

the drawings,

" respondin -parts in each'and every figure of portion 1 of-the frame of themachine, which 1's in the-form of a substantially horizontal open rectangular frame sup usual feet'flfl At the back of t ie-ira-metbere is a bowed or segmental type-bar support 3,- which has its, concaved tare uppermost and supported at each end by'a standarr-l 4. 1 The front edge ofthis type-bar sup, vided with a series of'su'bstantia l upright notches or seats 5', and intheunder side of gitu'dinai:groove6, extending from end to 'end -oi' the support. Each .type b'ar 7 hasitsheel portion received in one of theseaisor i'n aiinement with the roove .Got the typebar support, through w rich passes a fulcrum- -rod 9, 'whi'chis seated in thegroove and is relnovably' supported therein by means. of n headed fastening 10, (best shown in Fig. 7,)

the .t perbar support and preferably in Ibenatureof .the rod 9, so as to detachalilv support the same in place. 7

typerbarsnp )ort 3 and is lll'fijififll ill front thereof and iieneath the type-bars, so as to support the latter in their nornmlinactive p.os1tlons. This rest-bur is provided \\'ith :1 easing or covering 12,0frubberorothersnitreturxiing to their nornml positions. The 1 free end of each type-bar [H provided With a tioi al view on the line 3. 3 of Fig. 1. Fi 4 is Fig. '5 is a detail viewof the latch connection 1F ig. 6 is a detail perspective View of In illustratin the present embodiment of this invention there has been shown-the base 011- is pro-. I

this notched portion of the support :r lon one of, such fastenings being at each end of of the present invention. I Fig. 2-is aninvertofthe keysa-nd its Like charactersof reference design-ate corat ort upon'the notches 5 and provided with a perforation '8 i IOC a screw having its head underlying "1A" arcuate rest-bar H is carried by the h able material, to cushion the t \'-;'n-h= rs when head 13, which is offset at the rear side tr the bar in substantial parallelism therewith, with the ty e 14 carried upon the rear side of the offset lead and located outwardly beyond the extremity of the type-bar. T By'this construction of 'typebar should a plurality of; type bars be simultaneously thrown upagainst' the platen 15, which has been ind1- cated by dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the shoulder 16 of one of the bars strike the front side of the free extremity of thetype bar which is in-rear thereof, and there yprevent its type from striking against sald'other type-bar,-and thus preventing inury to the type.-

The keys 17 of the resent invention are arranged in banks in t e usual manner and are provided with pendent stems or plun- 'gers118, working through perforations in a stepped series of guide bars 19, carried by an extending across the open-top of the front portion of the main frame I. As best lndicated in Fig; 8, it,will be noted that the lower end of each key-stem is provided with a crank-bend 20, and the extremity of the crank-bend is provided with a transverse will I be the sidesof the key-action frame are supported upon suitable projections or shoulders 26, extending inwardly from the adjacent sides of the main frame 1, there being setscrews 27, piercing the rear extremities of the sides 24, for. frictional engagement with the inner facesof the adjacent sidesof the main frame. Adjacent the front end of each side of the main frame 1 there is a threaded perforation 28, in which fits an adjustable .setscrew 29, having a conical inner end to enter a smooth perforation 30 in the adjacent side 24of the key-actionjframe. By this means the key-action frame is removably supported within the main frameof the machine and may be readily removed therefrom by releasmg the screws '27 and 29, whereu on-the front end of the frame may be tilte up and drawn out through the frontof the mainframe. It will here be noted that the standard 4, which carries the type-bar support 3, is connected to the key-action frame, as indicated at 31, and therefore the type-bar sn 1 port and ty e bars are removable with t e ev-action ramo.

The connection between each key -'stem and the corresponding type-bar includes a substantially horizontal flat rock-- bar- 32, formed of spring metal and capable of being twisted, each' end of'the bar being bent at 'substantially right angles thereto to form crank-terminals 33jan'd 34, which are pierced at their 'outer ends by perforations 35 and 36. This rock-bar issupported upon a cylindrical rod 37 which loosely ierces the crank-arms adjacent theu per si e of the rock-bar and lprojectsflbeyon the ends of the latter, with its rear end removablyfitted in a perforation in the reanend bar 2.3 of the key-action frame and its-front end carried-by the front end'22 of said frame. By secured to the inner ace of the front end bar 22 of-the key-action frame,

with perforations arranged in three, as-best indicated in Fi ings, for the reception of the ont ends of the several rods 37.

- and rock-bars-32 are arranged in sets off three, one above the other, and, as best shown in from the front to the back of the key-action frame, while the rockbars32 are somewhat shorter, with the front endof the lowermost bar in advance of the front end of the next adjacent upper bar, so as to accommodate the front cranks 33 to the corresponding keygagedwiththe perforation 35 of the adjacent 'crank'33, so that adepression of the key operates to lock the bar 32 upon its su portingcessively project'beyond the next adjacent lower bar 1n order that there may be no interference' :between the connections from the several rear cranks'to the res ective typebars. To prevent undue en wise pla of each rock-bar 32 u on its supporting-r0 37 there-are provided olding devices in the nature of elastic sleeves 39, preferably helical springs, which snugly embrace the rod 37 at t e opposite ends of the rock-bar 32' with a frictional grip sufficient to ,prevent endwise the same time these holding-sleeves ma be forcibly shiftedupon the rod to permit oi the bar 32 being adjusted endwise upon the rod for engaging and disengaging the crank 33 with one of the key-stems' Another elastic sleeve40 is provided u on the frontortion ofthe rod 37, so as to bear against t e rear side of the front of, the key action frame, while the rear sleeve 39 fits snugly between the rear end of the rock-bar 32 and the-rear end of the frame,.ivherebyf the rod 37 .is held against endwise play through the 'erforations in the front and rear ends oft e keyaction frame. The rod 37 can of course be forcibly moved inan endwi'sedirection from the frame whenit is necessaryto make repairs.

- For connecting the rear end of each rockbar with its corresponding typebar there is It will herebe explained that the rods 3 7 i Fig. 1 of the drawings, the rods'37 extend;

stems, each of which has its crank-pin 21 enrod 37. The rear ends of the 'rockars suci play of the-rock-bar upon the rod, while at preference a plate 38 is 5 so as to project above and below said bar, and is provided" vertical sets of 3 ofthe drawa link 41, which is provided fatits lower end diate points the link 41 is provided with apair of eyes 46 and 47, through which passes a latch-bar 48, that is supported by a helical. spring 49, embracing the bar, with it"slower' end resting upon the eye 47 and its upper end or plate 52, carried bythe under side of thebearing against a shoulder or projection 50 upon the intermediate portion of the latchbar, whereby the, latter is yieldably supported in an elevated position with its upper end lapping the heel of the. type-bar and engag ing the catch projection 43, thereby to prevent lateral displacement of the link 41 from the type-bar. By manually depressing the latch the catch projection 43 may be disengage'd from the type-bar Whenever desired. A helical spring 51 has its lower end hooked about the lower end portion of the latch-bar 48 beneath the guide 4-7, with its upper end connected to the type-bar support. 3, preferably by being hooked into a perforation in the rear projected perforate-edge of a flange type-bar support and projected in rear there of, whereby'thc type-bar is yieldably maintained in its normal depressed osition and the adjacentc rank 34 of the roe c-bar-is held at its upperlimit, with the corresponding key 17 also at its upper limit.

By reference to Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings it will be noted that there isa substantially horizontal guard 'bar 53 extending transverselyacross' the front portion of the key-action frame in rear and adjacent each key-stem, there being one such bar for each bank of keys and the several bars being arranged in vertical stepped relation, with their corresponding ends carried by a stepped support 54,which is secured to the adjacent side 24 of the keyaction frame. Asclearly indicated in'FigJ of the drawings, each key-' stem works between one of the guard-bars 53 and the crank 33 of the ad acent rock-bar 32,

whereby displacement of the crank-pin 21' from'the crank I 3is )revented.

In manipulating the machine when a key is depressed in the usual manner its stem operating through the adjacenticrank 33 rocks the bar 32 upon its support 37, thereby swin ging the rear crank-arm 34 downwardly and pulling down upon the link 41, which draws down the heel of the adjacent typebar and throws the free end of the latter upward into engagement with the platen. It will here be noted that the connection between eachkey by lost motion is reduced to t 1e minimum.

By reason of the fact that, the rock-bar 32 is of spring material and capable of being elastically twisted when the type-bar is arrested by contact with the platen the rock-bar will be slightly twisted under the continued depression of the key, and in view of' the elastic nature of .the rock-bar the key-action will be cushioned so asto prevent jamming and' ,-'b'reaking of any of the parts thereof, and the usual sudden jar upon the fingers of the op-- e'rator is entirely overcome in a very simple and efficient manner without the employment of extraneous springs or other-cushioning devices. Upon release of the key the spring 51' operates to automatically return t whey and the type-bar to their normal in an'dthe torsionally bent rock-bar 32 will also resume its normal condition preparatory to another operation.

It will here be'explainedthat the rock-bar 32 is of course slightly shortened when torsionally twisted, and'the members 38 and 39 are designed to o erate as holders or stops for contact with t ie ends of the bar when it resumes its normal position, thereby to prevent the'bar from creeping endwi'se upon its active positions, as hereinbefore described,

supporting-rod, as-snch en'dwise creeping would twist and jam the connections between the rock-bar, the key-stem, and the link 41-. p I 7 From the foregoing description it will be understood that with the exception of the stepped guide members 19 all the par'tsof the" present, invention are carried by thekeyactionframe and may therefore be fitted and IOC removed fromthe'main frame of the machine Having fully described the invention, what i is claimed is- 1. The combination with a type-bar and a key, of a connecting rod terminating .at 0 posite ends in cranks which are respective y connected to the key and the type-bar, and a upport engaging-the crank-arms interme'-' diate of their ends with the armsfrotatable thereon, the-connecting-bar being free to rotate upon the support for -actuating the type bar by a depressionof the key and- 'said conmeeting-bar also capable of being torsionally, 1

twisted when the ,t pe-bar strikes the platen thus cushion the action, I 1

v 2.; The combination with a type-bah and a 'topermit further epression ofthe key and key, of a torsionally-twistable rock-bar terminai'ing at o'po site ends in cranks which are respective y connected to'the type-bar and the key, and a supporting-rod loosely piercing-the crank-arms. Y 3. Thecombination with" a type-bar and a key, of an elastic torsionally-twistable rockbar terminating at opposite ends in cranks which are respectively connected. with the type-bar and thefke'y,asu porting-rod loose fy piercing the cranks, an means carried by the rod to prevent creeping of the rock-bar under its torsional elastic action.

4. The combination wiqh a type-bar and a key, offa torsionally-twistable elastic rockbar-terminating at posite ends in cranks which" are res ective y connected with the typebar an the key,'-a supporting-rod 'loosel iercin the cranks, and elastic sleeves frictiona embracing the rod andin engagement with the opposite ends of the barto prevent creeping of the latter under its'torsion'al action.

5. The combination witlga type-bar and a key, of a rock-bar provided with opposite cranks'which are respectively connected to the type-bar and the key, and a supportingrod loosely piercing the cranks.

6. In a" key-action"for type-writing machines, the combination ofa rock-bar havin a-crank provided-with aperforation, a guard member adjacent thecra'nk, and a" key having a stein provided with a lateral pin detachably enga ing," the perforation in the crank and'wor ing between the latter and the guard member of the stem.

7. A type-writing machine having a main frame, projections extending inwardly from the frame at" one end thereof,-a key-action frame removably supported at one end upon the projections, set-screws carried by the key-action frame adjacent the projections for frictional engagement with the main frame, and other set screws piercing the other end of the mainframe for detachable fpngagement with the key-action frame. 1 In a type-writing machine, the combination with a frame, of a type-bar support, typgshars mounted upon the support, a key to prevent displacement action fran'ne having its oppos'ifie,ends. pm vided with corresponding perforations, rods havingtheir ends supported in the perforations of the key-actionframe, rock-bars mounted upon the rods and connected to the corresponding type-bars, and keys connected to the rock-bars for rocking the same upon their supporting-rods. j

9. .In a type-writing machine, the combination of a frame, a type-bar support carried by the frame above the rear end thereof, type-bars mounted uponthe support, rods extending between the front and back of the frame, rock-bars mounted upon the rods and terminating at opposite ends in cranks, connections between the rear cranks and the type-bars, guard-bars carried by the front of the frame and extending thercacross adjacent the front cranks, and keys having stems connected'wit'h the respective front cranks and working between the latter and the adj acent guard-bars.

10. In a type-writing machine, the combination with aframe, a type-bar support, a type-bar mounted thereon, a rod having its ends supported in openings in opposite ends ef the frame/a torsionally-twistable elastic rock-bar having terminal cranks pierced by "the rod, an operative connection between one of the cranks and the type bar, a key connected to the other crank, an elastic sleeve frictionally embracing the rod and f bearing'against one end of the rock-bar and the adjacent end of the frame, another elastic sleeve frictionally" embracing the rodr-gfind bearing against -the opposite end of the rockbar, and a third elastic sleeve embracing the rod and bearing against the other end of the frame, said sleeves operating to prevent creeping of the rock-bar upon the rod and prevent accidental endwise displacement of the rod through the openings in the frame.

In testimony that l claim the foregoing as It 3 .Wn I have hereto affixed my signature 111th: presence of two witnesses.

W JOHN E. MOLLEH Wi tnesses: GEo. T. ASHBY,

Gur CRANDALL. 

